THE Indonesian Capital of Jakarta topped the global list as the ‘World’s Most Polluted City’ and maintained its position as one of the top ten most polluted cities in the past few months.
Dozens of protesters demanded action amid the worsening air pollution in Jakarta as residents and experts complained of poor air quality linked to health problems.
A new study named the Indonesian Capital the World’s Most Polluted City just days after the Swiss Company IQAir released data showing that air quality had deteriorated in recent weeks.
Local ministers have also confirmed that Indonesian President Joko Widodo had been battling a cough for weeks and suggested he could be one of the millions of residents at risk of respiratory illness due to worsening air pollution.
Carbon emissions from factories, coal-fired power plants, and traffic congestion add to the dilemma.
President Widodo called for urgent government intervention in the worsening air pollution during a cabinet meeting on Monday, with a pollution law tax being considered.
Data from IQAir showed Jakarta registers unhealthy air pollution levels nearly every day and has consistently ranked among the 10 most polluted cities globally since May.
